Teacher accused of sex with student appears in court

Kathyrn Murray accused of having sex with 15-year-old student

A middle school teacher fired over allegations that she had a sexual relationship with a student has made two court appearances.

Former Memorial Middle School teacher Kathryn Murray, 28, has been charged with sexual assault of a child. She was arrested Thursday.

"The defendant came to the student's house while his parents weren't there and they had sex in the complainant's bedroom," said Denise Oncken, an assistant Harris County district attorney.

During a probable cause hearing late Thursday, Murray refused a public defender.

The judge informed her that the family of the 15-year-old she is accused of having sex with was granted a restraining order against her. The judge said she is not to have any physical contact with the boy, she can not send him any messages or stalk him. The order also prevents her from going to Memorial Middle School.

During a court appearance Friday morning, Murray's bond was reduced from $250,000 to $50,000.

Murray was required to surrender her passport. Prosecutors said she had purchased a plane ticket to Mexico, where Murray claims to have an ill brother.

Prosecutors said that Murray closed her bank account on Thursday.

According to court documents, Murray, who was an eighth-grade teacher, had sex with a 15-year-old boy. Detectives said the 15-year-old invited Murray over to his home while his parents were away on Feb. 11.

The 15-year-old's 12-year-old brother was also home. According to court documents, the 12-year-old found his brother in bed with Murray about 11:50 p.m.

According to court documents, the 15-year-old told investigators that he was in love with Murray.

A teacher said that Murray told her on Feb. 8 that the 15-year-old had told her that he loved her, and that Murray admitted to kissing the boy in her classroom, according to court documents.

Murray worked at the school for three years.

A friend of Murray's does not believe the allegations.

"She has the right to defend herself. She has the right to a fair trial. I don't think people need to judge her," Erica Rose said.

Rose has known Murray for 14 years.

"This is a nice girl from a nice family," Rose said. "I think that if she wasn't as attractive, who knows if the charges would even be brought or if people would be making such a big deal about it. This could all be made up. This could all be some young boy's fantasy."

Prosecutors disagree.

"(Murray) was making plans to go visit her brother who resides in Mexico," Oncken said.

Local 2 obtained a marriage license which shows Murray has been married to a local lawyer since October 2009.

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